We’ve finished unveiling my list of the NFC South’s top 25 players for 2012. Was anyone at all surprised that New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was No. 1?
That choice was obvious, but the rest were open for debate and I’m sure there are lots of varying opinions out there. That’s fine because debate is healthy and it’s the reason we have the comments section below. With that in mind, let’s quickly review my top 25 NFC South players (and keep in mind I left off notables, such as Jordan Gross, Tony Gonzalez and Ronde Barber, because they’re approaching the end of their careers and may not be what they once were.
That choice was obvious, but the rest were open for debate and I’m sure there are lots of varying opinions out there. That’s fine because debate is healthy and it’s the reason we have the comments section below. With that in mind, let’s quickly review my top 25 NFC South players (and keep in mind I left off notables, such as Jordan Gross, Tony Gonzalez and Ronde Barber, because they’re approaching the end of their careers and may not be what they once were.
- Brees
- Carl Nicks, guard, Tampa Bay
- Jimmy Graham, tight end, New Orleans
- Cam Newton, quarterback, Carolina
- Darren Sproles, running back, New Orleans
- Ryan Kalil, center, Carolina
- Jahri Evans, guard, New Orleans
- Steve Smith, receiver, Carolina
- Matt Ryan, quarterback, Atlanta
- Jabari Greer, cornerback, New Orleans
- Julio Jones, receiver, Atlanta
- Brent Grimes, cornerback, Atlanta
- DeAngelo Williams, running back, Carolina
- Curtis Lofton, linebacker, New Orleans
- Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker, Atlanta
- Vincent Jackson, receiver, Tampa Bay
- Jonathan Stewart, running back, Carolina
- Charles Johnson, defensive end, Carolina
- Roddy White, receiver, Atlanta
- Malcolm Jenkins, safety, New Orleans
- Jon Beason, linebacker, Carolina
- Josh Freeman, quarterback, Tampa Bay
- Michael Turner, running back, Atlanta
- Adrian Clayborn, defensive end, Tampa Bay
- Marques Colston, receiver, New Orleans
Pat Yasinskas | email
NFL- ESPN NFC South Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
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Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
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